Case Documents

West Coast LEAF’s involvement

In 2003, West Coast LEAF intervened in this case, as a member of a coalition, and argued that freedom of expression should be contained in order to guarantee the right to unimpeded access to abortion services. LEAF also argued that the Court should decline to decide whether a fetus has the right to life under Section 7 of the Charter, as argued by Demers, as the Act does not deal with the legality of abortion.

Decision

The Court ruled that a fetus is not a legal person, and does not have a right to life under Section 7 of the Charter. Given that this argument was Demers’ focus, the Court found it unnecessary to address the freedom of speech arguments.

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West Coast LEAF is the only organization in BC that uses the law to further gender equality. We work to end gender-based discrimination using equality rights litigation, law reform, and public legal education.